Police, community and calendar briefs for March 28, 2013

Published: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 7:33 p.m.

POLICE BEAT

6 men reportedly storm Ocala home

Six men kicked in the front door and stormed a home in northwest Ocala Tuesday night, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office

Five people, including a 2-year-old, were in the home in the 4600 block of Northwest 44th Court when one of them heard the screen door opening just before 10:30 p.m. A moment later, the door flew open and six men, two armed with guns, ran inside, Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports state.

Two men started choking a man seated in the living room and demanded money. Two others ran to one of the bedrooms where a woman and the 2-year-old were and demanded money. The third duo kicked in the door of a second bedroom, where two other men were and also demanded money, according to reports.

The men took $500 in cash, a purse and two cellphones. The purse was later recovered.

Anyone with information about the case can call the Sheriff’s Office at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.

Report: Woman awakes to find man, 52, in home

A 52-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after he admitted rummaging through his neighbor’s home Saturday night while she slept.

Anibal Barris was arrested after he admitted breaking into the home in the 8400 block of Southwest 74th Court and taking $33, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Office reports.

Just after 11 p.m. Saturday, the woman awoke and saw a figure in her bedroom with a flashlight. The man would turn the flashlight off and on as he searched. He left the room and went to the kitchen, before returning to the bedroom. The woman screamed. The man apologized and told her his name was “Bobby” before climbing back out of the window where he entered, according to reports.

On Tuesday, Barris told investigators he was addicted to crack cocaine and was looking for money to buy drugs. He said he took the $33 from the woman’s purse, reports state.

Barris was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of occupied burglary and petty theft. His $20,000 bond on a previous arrest for burglary and grand theft was revoked. He was being held at the jail Wednesday in lieu of a $30,500 bond.

Police warn residents about Internet scam

The Ocala Police Department has received reports of an Internet scam and wishes to warn residents about it.

While online, people suddenly see a pop-up window alerting them to a security breach monitored by the FBI or Homeland Security, according to an OPD media release. The viewers are advised the computer has been locked up and they must pay $300 to $400 in fines using a Green Dot Reloadable Prepaid card.

Once the fine is paid, however, the computer is still locked and unusable. Meanwhile, the money has gone to people overseas and the computers still have to be repaired or replaced.

“Do not pay the ‘fine’ as indicated, as your computer will remain locked up and you will be at a loss of funds that cannot be recovered,” the news release states. “Unfortunately, you may still have to have your computer repaired due to the virus.”

Country singer Coe back home after crash

Country music artist David Allan Coe, injured in Ocala in a traffic crash the morning of March 19, is recovering at home. Another man injured in the crash also has been released from the hospital.

Coe, 73, of Princeton, was hospitalized after the sport utility vehicle he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer hauling corn and radishes at Silver Springs Boulevard and South Pine Avenue. Robert Johnson and Lisa Meade were occupants in the 1996 Peterbilt.

Coe was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center with injuries to his neck and back, side pain and multiple lacerations, according to an OPD report. He was cited for running a red light.

Meade, 49, was treated at Munroe Regional Medical Center and released the same day. Johnson, 59, was taken to MRMC, then transferred to ORMC, from which he was released a few days later.

A response to an email inquiry sent to Coe’s manager Tuesday indicated the singer “is doing fine. He is at home recovering.”

Heading to call, deputy loses control of SUV

A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy lost control of his patrol vehicle, which flipped over, as he responded to a burglary call Monday evening.

Deputy Travis O’Cull lost control of the Ford Explorer as he entered a curve near the 9700 block of Southeast County Road 464C just before 8:30 p.m. The Explorer hit an exposed drainage pipe and flipped, landing on the driver’s side, according to Marion County Sheriffs’ Office reports.

O’Cull was responding to a burglary in progress and had the lights and sirens engaged.

The officer was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

The vehicle sustained approximately $10,000 in damages, according to reports.

The burn will consist of approximately 190 acres and will take place approximately two miles west of the intersection of County Road 484 and State Road 200.

Prescribed fires are only conducted when weather parameters are suitable and with authorization from the Florida Forest Service.

To learn more, visit www.goodfires.org.

Community Services moves

Marion County Community Services is moving to 2631 SE Third St., Ocala.

The current office will be closed on Friday. The new office will open on Monday.

For more information, call 671-8770.

Scholarships for Marion students

Altrusa International Inc. of Ocala has two scholarships for eligible Marion County residents.

The Altrusa Scholarship is open to all individuals and The Thelma Parker Educational Scholarship is open to individuals seeking a career in education. Individuals returning to the workforce are especially encouraged to apply.

The deadline for applications is Sunday.

For applications, call 817-2571 or visit www.altrusaofocala.com.

Nugent to speak at military open house

U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent will host a military service academy open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at City Hall, 212 West Main Street, Inverness.

Attendees can learn about the academies and eligibility requirements for a congressional nomination. For more information, call 689-4684.

Local pet parenting classes begin soon

Registrations are being accepted for pet parenting classes offered by the Humane Society of Marion County. The focus is to help people unchain dogs by providing education and services such as free fencing and spay/neuter. Classes are held the first and second Saturday of every month at 701 NW 14th Road, Ocala.

The next classes are from 10 a.m. to noon on April 6 and 13.

Attendance at both classes is mandatory. Pre-registration is required.

For more information, call Gerry Brent at 236-0483.

Activists form luncheon series

A group of local activists have formed a monthly luncheon speaker series, The Friday Forum.

The first forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. on April 12 at Buffet City, 1512 SW 10th St., Ocala. The Rev. Bruce Seaman, pastor at Fairfield Presbyterian Church and coordinator of Awake Marion, will be the speaker. Reservations are requested.

For more information, call 873-9970 or email FridayForumofMarionCounty@gmail.com.

<p>POLICE BEAT</p><p><b>6 men reportedly storm Ocala home</b></p><p>Six men kicked in the front door and stormed a home in northwest Ocala Tuesday night, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office</p><p>Five people, including a 2-year-old, were in the home in the 4600 block of Northwest 44th Court when one of them heard the screen door opening just before 10:30 p.m. A moment later, the door flew open and six men, two armed with guns, ran inside, Marion County Sheriff's Office reports state.</p><p>Two men started choking a man seated in the living room and demanded money. Two others ran to one of the bedrooms where a woman and the 2-year-old were and demanded money. The third duo kicked in the door of a second bedroom, where two other men were and also demanded money, according to reports.</p><p>The men took $500 in cash, a purse and two cellphones. The purse was later recovered.</p><p>Anyone with information about the case can call the Sheriff's Office at 732-9111 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP.</p><p><b>Report: Woman awakes to find man, 52, in home</b></p><p>A 52-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after he admitted rummaging through his neighbor's home Saturday night while she slept.</p><p>Anibal Barris was arrested after he admitted breaking into the home in the 8400 block of Southwest 74th Court and taking $33, according to Marion County Sheriff's Office reports.</p><p>Just after 11 p.m. Saturday, the woman awoke and saw a figure in her bedroom with a flashlight. The man would turn the flashlight off and on as he searched. He left the room and went to the kitchen, before returning to the bedroom. The woman screamed. The man apologized and told her his name was “Bobby” before climbing back out of the window where he entered, according to reports.</p><p>On Tuesday, Barris told investigators he was addicted to crack cocaine and was looking for money to buy drugs. He said he took the $33 from the woman's purse, reports state.</p><p>Barris was booked into the Marion County Jail on one count each of occupied burglary and petty theft. His $20,000 bond on a previous arrest for burglary and grand theft was revoked. He was being held at the jail Wednesday in lieu of a $30,500 bond.</p><p><b>Police warn residents about Internet scam</b></p><p>The Ocala Police Department has received reports of an Internet scam and wishes to warn residents about it.</p><p>While online, people suddenly see a pop-up window alerting them to a security breach monitored by the FBI or Homeland Security, according to an OPD media release. The viewers are advised the computer has been locked up and they must pay $300 to $400 in fines using a Green Dot Reloadable Prepaid card.</p><p>Once the fine is paid, however, the computer is still locked and unusable. Meanwhile, the money has gone to people overseas and the computers still have to be repaired or replaced.</p><p>“Do not pay the 'fine' as indicated, as your computer will remain locked up and you will be at a loss of funds that cannot be recovered,” the news release states. “Unfortunately, you may still have to have your computer repaired due to the virus.”</p><p><b>Country singer Coe back home after crash</b></p><p>Country music artist David Allan Coe, injured in Ocala in a traffic crash the morning of March 19, is recovering at home. Another man injured in the crash also has been released from the hospital.</p><p>Coe, 73, of Princeton, was hospitalized after the sport utility vehicle he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer hauling corn and radishes at Silver Springs Boulevard and South Pine Avenue. Robert Johnson and Lisa Meade were occupants in the 1996 Peterbilt.</p><p>Coe was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center with injuries to his neck and back, side pain and multiple lacerations, according to an OPD report. He was cited for running a red light.</p><p>Meade, 49, was treated at Munroe Regional Medical Center and released the same day. Johnson, 59, was taken to MRMC, then transferred to ORMC, from which he was released a few days later.</p><p>A response to an email inquiry sent to Coe's manager Tuesday indicated the singer “is doing fine. He is at home recovering.”</p><p><b>Heading to call, deputy loses control of SUV</b></p><p>A Marion County Sheriff's Office deputy lost control of his patrol vehicle, which flipped over, as he responded to a burglary call Monday evening.</p><p>Deputy Travis O'Cull lost control of the Ford Explorer as he entered a curve near the 9700 block of Southeast County Road 464C just before 8:30 p.m. The Explorer hit an exposed drainage pipe and flipped, landing on the driver's side, according to Marion County Sheriffs' Office reports.</p><p>O'Cull was responding to a burglary in progress and had the lights and sirens engaged.</p><p>The officer was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and released.</p><p>The vehicle sustained approximately $10,000 in damages, according to reports.</p><p> </p><p>COMMUNITY</p><p><b>Prescribed burn planned for Thursday</b></p><p>The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway will conduct a prescribed burn Thursday, weather permitting.</p><p>The burn will consist of approximately 190 acres and will take place approximately two miles west of the intersection of County Road 484 and State Road 200.</p><p>Prescribed fires are only conducted when weather parameters are suitable and with authorization from the Florida Forest Service.</p><p>To learn more, visit www.goodfires.org.</p><p><b>Community Services moves </b></p><p>Marion County Community Services is moving to 2631 SE Third St., Ocala.</p><p>The current office will be closed on Friday. The new office will open on Monday.</p><p>For more information, call 671-8770.</p><p><b>Scholarships for Marion students</b></p><p>Altrusa International Inc. of Ocala has two scholarships for eligible Marion County residents.</p><p>The Altrusa Scholarship is open to all individuals and The Thelma Parker Educational Scholarship is open to individuals seeking a career in education. Individuals returning to the workforce are especially encouraged to apply.</p><p>The deadline for applications is Sunday.</p><p>For applications, call 817-2571 or visit www.altrusaofocala.com.</p><p><b>Nugent to speak at military open house</b></p><p>U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent will host a military service academy open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at City Hall, 212 West Main Street, Inverness.</p><p>Attendees can learn about the academies and eligibility requirements for a congressional nomination. For more information, call 689-4684.</p><p><b>Local pet parenting classes begin soon</b></p><p>Registrations are being accepted for pet parenting classes offered by the Humane Society of Marion County. The focus is to help people unchain dogs by providing education and services such as free fencing and spay/neuter. Classes are held the first and second Saturday of every month at 701 NW 14th Road, Ocala.</p><p>The next classes are from 10 a.m. to noon on April 6 and 13.</p><p>Attendance at both classes is mandatory. Pre-registration is required.</p><p>For more information, call Gerry Brent at 236-0483.</p><p><b>Activists form luncheon series</b></p><p>A group of local activists have formed a monthly luncheon speaker series, The Friday Forum.</p><p>The first forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. on April 12 at Buffet City, 1512 SW 10th St., Ocala. The Rev. Bruce Seaman, pastor at Fairfield Presbyterian Church and coordinator of Awake Marion, will be the speaker. Reservations are requested.</p><p>For more information, call 873-9970 or email FridayForumofMarionCounty@gmail.com.</p><p><b>Golf tournament benefits youngster</b></p><p>Golf 4 Kaedyn, a benefit golf tournament for Kaedyn Love, a 3-year-old diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, begins at 1 p.m. May 10 at the Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.</p><p>The cost is $100.</p><p>For more information, call 286-7608 or email golf4kaedyn@aol.com.</p><p>CALENDAR</p><p>TODAY</p><p><b>BOOK SALE:</b> 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala. (861-0353)</p><p> </p><p><b>EASTER TABLEAU:<b> 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Druid Hills United Methodist Church, 1712 SE Lake Weir Road, Ocala. (629-5688)</p><p> </p><p><b>T.O.P.S.:<b> Taking Off Pounds Sensibly groups, Thursday: 9 a.m., Spring Lake Village, 2450 NE 146th Terrace, Silver Springs. (625-3358); 10 a.m., Ocklawaha United Methodist Church, 13335 SE 123rd St., Ocklawaha. (347-2841); 10 a.m., Grace Baptist Church, 10835 SE 70th Ave., Belleview. (245-9593); 7 p.m., Dunnellon Women's Club, 11756 Cedar St., Dunnellon. (489-1960) and 7 p.m. Belleview Christian Church, 7149 SE County Road 25A, Belleview. (245-2603)</p><p> </p><p><b>OCALA CHESS CLUB:<b> 5 p.m. Thursday, Marion County Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. (812-4221)</p><p> </p><p><b>ASK ARNOLD:<b> Computer help, noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala. (438-2580)</p><p> </p><p><b>OCALA LIONS CLUB:<b> Noon Thursday, Elks Lodge, 702 NE 25th Ave., Ocala. (ahall014@embarqmail.com)</p><p> </p><p><b>KIWANIS:<b> Silver Springs Shores Kiwanis Club, noon Thursday, Silver Springs Shores Presbyterian Church, 674 Silver Road, Ocala. (687-1119 or silverspringsshoreskiwanis.org)</p><p> </p><p><b>BINGO:<b> 6 p.m. Thursday, American Legion Post 58, 10730 US 41, Dunnellon. (489-4453)</p><p> </p><p><b>ACOUSTIC JAM:<b> Musicians of all levels welcome, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2840)</p><p> </p><p><b>QUILTING:<b> Pine Needles quilt club, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Forest Community Center, 777 S. County Road 314A, Ocklawaha. (438-2840)</p><p> </p><p><b>OPEN JAM:<b> Musicians and singers welcome, 7 p.m. Thursday, Orange Blossom Opry, 13939 SE County Road 25, Weirsdale. (821-1201)</p><p> </p><p><b>OVEREATERS:<b> Overeaters Anonymous, 6 p.m., Thursday, St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 1839 NE Eighth Ave. Road, Room 4, Ocala. (425-2339)</p><p> </p><p><b>RAPE SUPPORT GROUP:<b> 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Ocala Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Center. Call for location. (622-8495 or 622-5919)</p><p> </p><p><b>COMPUTER CLASS:<b> Basics, 2 p.m. Thursday, Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95 St., Ocala. (438-2580)</p><p> </p><p>FRIDAY</p><p><b>CIRQUE:<b> Cirque-Tacular's World, 7 p.m. Friday, Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala. $30. (854-3670 or www.csculturalcenter.com)</p><p> </p><p><b>PLANT SALE AND EGG HUNT:<b> Plant sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Easter Egg hunt, 10 a.m. to noon; Friday, Hawthorne Village Of Ocala, 4100 SW 33 Ave., Ocala. Face painting, Easter bunny and more. (237-7776 or www.hawthornevillageofocala.com)</p><p> </p><p>FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY</p><p><b>“SOUVENIR”:<b> “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the life of Florence Foster Jenkins,” performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Insomniac Theater, 1 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. $12. (897-0477 or www.insomniactheatre.com)</p><p> </p><p>To submit information for this list, send an e-mail to calendar@starbanner.com or visit www.ocala.com, scroll down and click on EVENTS CALENDAR on the right.</p>